Made with love, given with love...

Made with love takes on a whole new meaning when you view the wonderful array of handmade and crafted items for sale now days. From crocheted and knitted caps and scarves to fabulous jewelry created by the many fine silversmiths of the world, things made without mass production machines just somehow seem most special. Everything from wood, paper, fabric, metal and beyond is utilized by the many talented people who produce something from those elements these days and do so with an eye on concocting something extraordinary.

There are jewelry artisans, who bring natural beauty into a form we can display on our person and enjoy for the sheer beauty of the thing – they create rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets and more. Nothing delights quite the same as the “sparkly” things wrought from deep in the earth drawn from silver, gold and gems, and both men and women seem to delight in owning them.

Photo: Handmade Sterling Silver Black Onyx Gemstone Ring
Courtesy of: http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/Silver_Gems

Knitted and crocheted items have, for as long as women have created them, been a staple item on gifts-to-give lists. Warm caps and scarves are likely among the most produced items. But it’s not just your “granny’s knitting” anymore. Many knitted and crocheted items have taken on totally modern personas, like this adorable kitten. These types of items make terrific gifts for baby showers or children – well anybody really – I mean how cute is this? Child or adult alike would treasure this precious bit of stylized yarn.

Photo: Amigurumi Kitty
Courtesy of: http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/ccreations

If you’re seeking something different and charming to hang on your front door during the holidays or any time, you cannot go wrong with the many lovely handmade wreaths. Some are crafted from natural fibers, plants and others like these cloth ones are just so fresh and interesting that people will be asking you where you got it. It’s not just an average wreath made of pine cones anymore. They can, and are, being made from almost anything and they last forever if cared for properly, so they’re a nice investment as well as a beautiful door ornament.

Photo: Denim Blue, Deep Blue White Homespun Cotton Fabric wreath
Courtesy of: http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/sandypaws

It just says love in such a special way to give gifts created by human hands. Things that take time are always distinctive and exceptional. The simple things we use in everyday life such as tote bags and purses come in a variety of colors and fabrics. Wall hangings and other things crafted from fabric such as baby blankets, snuggle throws, and even quilts make fabulous gifts. Gifts made with love, given with love, and utilized with love.

Photo: Christmas Cats Laurel Burch Handmade Wall Hanging
Courtesy of: http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/pieper

Leather gifts are another mainstay item – a wallet for Dad, coin purse for Mom or Sis. And leather purses, briefcases and other such bags have always made fabulous gifts. Now days they can also be gifts that were tooled by master leather workers into almost anything you could desire made from leather. And don’t overlook the many fabulous gift selections such as this holster for Dad’s favorite pistol or a luscious hand tooled executive case for his laptop.

Photo: Custom Leatherman Holster Revolver-Medium
Courtesy of: http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/Leatherman

There are many types of specialty and custom made-with-love gifts as well from paintings made from your photograph of loved ones or pets to individually designed greetings cards with all kinds of embellishments. The choices are from a vast rainbow of color and world full of materials and they all say, “I love you” just the right way for someone special in your life. They bring back memories of a sweeter past when all gifts were created and bestowed.

The types and styles of gifts handcrafted is a varied as the people who create them and the medias they use to conceive them. They make unforgettable gifts that can become lasting family heirlooms passed down from generation to generation…

With love of course.

And here’s a few more very special items crafted from wood, paper, metal, fabric, and many other wondrous materials:

http://www.bonanzle.com/hand_picked_lists/36751